News
Drug Abuse Behind 90% of Social Vices, Security Challenges in Kano – NSCDC
Ibrahim Kahlil
The Kano State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Muhammad Hassan Agalama, has said drug abuse and trafficking are responsible for more than 90 per cent of social vices and security challenges confronting society.
KANO FOCUS reports that Agalama made the assertion when the Multi-Agency Task Force on Drug Abuse and Trafficking paid a courtesy visit to the NSCDC command in Kano as part of efforts to strengthen inter-agency collaboration and intelligence sharing.
He described substance abuse as a major threat to peace, security and social stability, stressing the need for a sustained and coordinated response to the menace.
The commandant commended Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for establishing the task force, describing the initiative as timely in view of the growing spread of drug abuse and trafficking across the state.
He said combating illicit drugs was a collective responsibility requiring the participation of security agencies, government institutions, traditional and religious leaders, community organisations, civil society groups and other stakeholders.
According to him, the campaign requires determination, commitment and strong political will from the government and relevant authorities.
Agalama expressed particular concern over the impact of drug abuse on young people, saying the problem must be addressed through a combination of enforcement, prevention, rehabilitation, public enlightenment and youth empowerment.
He assured the task force of the full support and cooperation of the NSCDC Kano Command.
“The fight is for everyone to join, and we can get a drug abuse-free society. Certainly, there would be peace and tranquillity in the land,” he said.
Task force seeks stronger security collaboration
Earlier, the Chairman of the Multi-Agency Task Force on Drug Abuse and Trafficking, Muhyi Magaji Rimin Gado, said the visit was aimed at securing the NSCDC’s support and collaboration in the campaign against drug abuse and trafficking in Kano.
Rimin Gado said the magnitude of the drug problem required collective action, stressing that the task force could not succeed in isolation.
“We can’t do it alone. Hence, the desire to collaborate with stakeholders and sister security agencies. We are proud of your personnel and all the other sister security agencies,” he said.
He said the task force would strengthen cooperation with security agencies and other stakeholders, particularly in intelligence gathering, coordinated operations, enforcement and public enlightenment.
According to him, many social problems confronting society could be traced, directly or indirectly, to drug abuse and trafficking.
Rimin Gado disclosed that barely one month after the inauguration of the task force, there had been a “remarkable improvement” in the activities of drug peddlers across the state.
He attributed the development to the combined efforts of the task force and collaborating agencies.
The chairman said the task force would sustain its campaign while expanding engagement with traditional rulers, Islamic scholars, civil society organisations, market associations, youth groups and other critical stakeholders.
He stressed that the fight against drug abuse was not solely an enforcement responsibility but a collective societal obligation.
The NSCDC commandant reiterated the Corps’ commitment to supporting initiatives aimed at protecting young people, strengthening public safety and promoting peace across Kano State.
The task force also visited the Kano State Command of the Department of State Services (DSS) to seek further collaboration, particularly in intelligence gathering and coordinated operations against drug abuse and trafficking.
The engagements form part of efforts by the task force and security agencies to build a stronger inter-agency network for tackling drug abuse through intelligence sharing, enforcement, prevention, rehabilitation and sustained public awareness.
Suspect returned to Kano to face investigation, prosecution
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Multi-Agency Task Force on Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking has arrested a suspected gang leader and sponsor, Ishaq Lawan Ibrahim, popularly known as Malam Keya, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
KANO FOCUS reports that the 27-year-old suspect, from Yelwa in Dala Local Government Area of Kano State, is accused of sponsoring violent gang clashes that have claimed lives and heightened insecurity in parts of the state.
The task force disclosed this in a statement, saying the suspect was arrested following intelligence-led operations after allegedly fleeing Kano as security operations against gang violence intensified.
According to the statement, operatives tracked him to Port Harcourt and arrested him in an operation led by the task force’s Head of Operations, CSP Bashir Gwadabe. He has since been returned to Kano.
The task force alleged that Malam Keya played a leading role in orchestrating and financing hoodlums involved in violent attacks in Dala and other affected communities.
The areas reportedly affected by the gang violence include Jakara, Madigawa, Yalwa, Sanka, Kul Kul, Dogon Nama, Kukar Bulukiya, Dala, Shatsari and Dandalin Turawa.
Confirming the arrest, the task force chairman, Barr Muhuyi Magaji Rimin Gado, said the operation demonstrated the agency’s determination to pursue suspected sponsors of violence beyond Kano State.
“Let me assure you that those who bankroll violence should know that no distance, and no hiding place, will protect them. This arrest is only the beginning. We will not rest until peace is fully restored,” he said.
The task force said the suspect remained in custody for further investigation and would be prosecuted upon the conclusion of the investigation.
It added that its operations would continue in accordance with the law, with all suspects entitled to due process.
The agency also pledged to sustain efforts to dismantle criminal gangs, identify their alleged sponsors and disrupt drug supply networks linked to criminal activities.
It urged residents, community and religious leaders, parents and youths to support security efforts by reporting suspicious persons and activities, monitoring their neighbourhoods and discouraging young people from being recruited into criminal gangs.
The task force described public cooperation as essential to restoring peace and security across the state.
It also acknowledged the support of the Kano and Rivers state police commands and other law enforcement agencies in the operation.
Ibrahim Khalil
The Kano State Small Towns Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (KASSTOWA) has strengthened security at Joda Waterworks to prevent vandalism, theft and unauthorised access to the facility.
KANO FOCUS reports that the agency disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday, following an assessment visit to the waterworks by its interim managing director to evaluate the security situation.
According to the statement, additional security personnel have been deployed to protect the facility and ensure uninterrupted water supply.
The agency said the measure was part of efforts to safeguard critical water infrastructure and protect public assets from potential threats.
It added that the intervention aligned with the commitment of the administration of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to protecting government facilities and ensuring the delivery of essential services, in collaboration with the state’s Ministry of Water Resources.
KASSTOWA also emphasised the importance of inter-agency collaboration in strengthening infrastructure protection.
The agency called on community leaders, traditional institutions, youth organisations and residents to remain vigilant, report suspicious activities and cooperate with security personnel deployed to the facility.
It stressed that protecting water infrastructure was a shared responsibility requiring the cooperation of government agencies and host communities.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Police Command has foiled an alleged kidnapping plot in Gezawa Local Government Area and arrested two 20-year-old suspects over threats to abduct a village head.
KANO FOCUS reports that the suspects, identified as Aliyu Naziru Garba and Bashir Alhasan, were arrested following intelligence-led operations by police operatives attached to the Gezawa Divisional Police Headquarters.
The command disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday by its spokesperson, CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa.
According to the statement, the incident was reported on October 26, 2026, at about 1:30 a.m. by the village head of Bangare, Mallam Idris, who told the police that he had received a threatening phone call from an unidentified person on October 24 at about 9:33 p.m.
The caller allegedly threatened to kidnap him.
Following the report, police operatives launched a follow-up operation, which led to the arrest of the two suspects.
“The suspects have confessed to the commission of the crime,” the statement said, adding that investigations were ongoing and the suspects would be charged to court upon completion.
The Commissioner of Police in Kano State, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, commended officers of the Gezawa Division for their swift and professional response.
Bakori reiterated the command’s zero-tolerance stance on criminal activities and said the operation aligned with the policing vision of the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, which prioritises intelligence-led and technology-driven policing, professionalism and proactive crime prevention.
The police urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious persons or movements to the nearest police station.
The command also provided the following emergency contact numbers for reporting security concerns: 08032419754, 08123821575 and 09029292926.
Kano Task Force Arrests Suspected Gang Sponsor ‘Malam Keya’ in Rivers
Kano water agency strengthens security at Joda waterworks
Kano Police foil kidnap plot, arrest two suspects in Gezawa
Sheikh Masussuka’s killing: why sectarian blame must not replace justice
Rumfa Old Boys Class ’84 launches three-year academic improvement programme
Kano must make government procurement work for made-in-Kano
Indonesian scholar proposes waqf model to reform almajiri education in Nigeria
Nigeria’s Data Demand Surges 47% as Stakeholders Seek Fresh Investment in Digital Infrastructure
Kano Settles N32bn Pension, Gratuity Liabilities, Says Gov Yusuf
